Complications of Cervical Cancer
- Day Lee
- Jun 2, 2023
- 3 min read
Complications of Cervical Cancer
By Day Lee
Introduction
The American Cancer Society estimated that there will be about 13,960 new cases of invasive cervical cancer and of those, 4,310 women will die from it. Cervical Cancer occurs at the lower portion of the uterus that links to the vagina, known as the cervix. The early stages of this cancer may not be accompanied by any symptoms and often progresses slowly over several years. The consequences of untreated cervical cancer may negatively impact a woman's health and quality of life.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Between 80% - 90% of all occurrences of cervical cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, the most prevalent kind, which originates from the thin, flat cells covering the cervix's outer surface.
In 10% - 20% of cases, adenocarcinoma is the second most frequent kind of cervical cancer, which develops around the epithelial cells that border the cervical canal.
Here are some of the different ways to test for cervical cancer:
1. Pap test: This is a screening procedure that involves taking cells from the cervix to look for abnormal changes that may be precancerous diseases or cervical cancer. An expert medical professional gently scrapes cells from the cervix during the test using a little brush or spatula. Afterwards, the cells are viewed under a microscope for anomalies.
2. HPV test: This test looks for high-risk HPV strains related to cervical cancer and uses a sample of cells taken from the cervix.
3. Endocervical Curettage (ECC): Cells from inside the cervix are scraped during an ECC operation to look for abnormal alterations. If abnormal cells are seen on the cervix's outer surface, a colposcopy is often done to conduct this test.
4. Colposcopy: This term is combined with colpo(meaning cervix) and scopy(meaning examination). A colposcopy is a diagnostic technique that involves looking at the cervix under a colposcope, a specialized magnifying device. A healthcare professional may advise a colposcopy to look closer at the cervix and, if required, take a biopsy (a tiny tissue sample) if a Pap test or HPV test reveals abnormal cells or HPV infection.
Why is it complicated to treat them?
1. Metastasis: Cancerous cells can spread to other body organs, including the lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and bones if cervical cancer is not caught early enough. The metastasis that results from this process might make therapy more difficult. A complete cure is less likely, and the prognosis is often worse if cervical cancer has spread to other organs.
2. Fertility Issues: The ability of a woman to become pregnant and bring the child to term may be impacted by cervical cancer therapies. A woman will lose her ability to carry a pregnancy if she has a hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can hurt the ovaries, causing early menopause and infertility.
3. Bladder Issues: Cervical cancer can cause bladder and bowel problems, such as urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, and constipation. There are treatments used to treat cervical cancer, such as radiation therapy and surgery.
Conclusion
It is recommended to see a gynecologic oncologist, a doctor specializing in treating gynecologic cancers, in order to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. We encourage you to follow the treatment plan discussed with your doctor and to seek emotional support, as this diagnosis may be overwhelming. Also, it would help if you focused on your diet, exercise, and rest.
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